2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI light

Interior care and cleaning
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Caring for upholstery
Cleaning upholstery, fabric trim and Alcantara®
Care and cleaning of leather upholstery
Cleaning leatherette
Cleaning storage compartments and cup holders
Care and cleaning of plastic components, wood trim and instrument panel
Cleaning the safety belts
Modern clothing fabrics such as dark denim may not be completely colorfast. Even with normal use,
dye from these and other fabrics can rub off on seat upholstery and leave visible discolorations
(especially on light-colored seat upholstery). This is caused by a lack of colorfastness in the clothing
fabric, not by any fault in the seat upholstery fabric. To help prevent damage to the seat upholstery,
always make sure your clothing is colorfast. Volkswagen recommends having a qualified specialist
remove any discolorations from the seat upholstery.
The longer stains, dirt and other deposits remain on the surfaces of vehicle components and
upholstery, the more difficult it may be to clean them. If stains, dirt and deposits are left untreated for a
long time, they may become impossible to remove.
More information:
x Exterior care and cleaning
x Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications
WARNING
Vehicle care products can be dangerous. Improper use can cause accidents, burns,
poisoning, or other serious personal injuries.
x Always store vehicle care products only in original containers that are securely closed.
x Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.
x To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use empty food or beverage containers that might
mislead someone into drinking from them.
x Always keep vehicle care products out of the reach of children.
x Always use such products outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, because harmful vapors
may be released when these products are used.
x Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover or other volatile fluids for
vehicle care. They are poisonous and highly flammable.
WARNING
Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components can compromise the vehicle's safety
features and cause serious personal injury.
x Always clean and maintain vehicle components according to manufacturer's instructions.
x Only use approved or recommended cleaners.

Tires and wheel rims approved by Volkswagen have been matched precisely to your vehicle model
and contribute considerably to good handling and safe vehicle performance.
Tightening torque
Wheel bolts must always be installed with the correct tightening torque .295. The required tightening
torque for your vehicle's wheel bolts is 88 ft-lbs (120 Nm). After changing a wheel, the bolt torque
must be checked as soon as possible with an accurate torque wrench. See an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings have several parts. The parts are bolted together with special screws
in a special process. This helps to ensure that they will work properly, prevent leaks, run true and
safely. Damaged wheel rims must be replaced, and you must never take them apart or try to repair
them yourself. Have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
repair them for you ⇒ .
Wheel rims with bolted decorative covers
Light-alloy wheels may have interchangeable decorative covers attached to the rim with self-locking
screws. If you want to replace damaged wheel covers, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Using improper or damaged wheel rims can affect driving safety, cause accidents and severe
personal injury.
x Use only wheel rims approved for the vehicle.
x Regularly check wheel rims for damage and replace them if necessary.
WARNING
Improper loosening and tightening of the bolts on wheel rims with bolted rim rings can cause
accidents and severe personal injury.
x Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted rim rings.
x Have all work on wheel rims with bolted rim rings performed by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tire inflation pressure

Fig. 160 Location of the tire inflation pressure label.

WARNING
Improper use of a spare wheel or a compact spare wheel can cause loss of vehicle control, a
crash or other accident, and serious personal injury.
x Never use a spare wheel or compact spare wheel if it is damaged or worn down to the
wear indicators.
x In some vehicles, the spare wheel or compact spare wheel is smaller than the original tire.
A smaller compact spare wheel is identified with a sticker and the words “50 mph” or
“80 km/h”. This is the maximum permissible speed when driving with this tire.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a compact spare wheel. Avoid full-throttle
acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!
x Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) if a compact spare wheel is installed on the front
axle (drive axle).
x Replace the compact spare with a normal wheel and tire as soon as possible. Compact
spare tires are designed for brief use only.
x Regularly check the U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) to determine the age of the
compact spare wheel. Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly,
especially at higher speeds.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can only be used in an emergency and then with
special care and at lower speeds.
x The compact spare wheel must always be secured with the wheel bolts provided by the
factory.
x Never drive using more than one compact spare wheel.
x After installing the compact spare wheel, the tire pressure must be checked as soon as
possible.
x Snow chains cannot be used on the compact spare wheel. If you must use snow chains
and have a compact spare wheel mounted, move the compact spare wheel to the rear axle if a
front tire has to be replaced. The tire taken off the rear axle can then be used to replace the
flat front tire. Be sure you do not change the tire's direction of rotation. Install the snow
chains on the full-sized road tire.
NOTICE
When the spare wheel or compact spare is being used, the TPMS indicator light can come on
after a couple of minutes
If possible, attach the spare wheel, compact spare wheel, or wheel you took off the vehicle
securely in the luggage compartment.

Sidewall separation
The parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall.
Speed rating (letter code)
A standardized letter code indicating the maximum speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for
extended periods of time. The ratings range from 93 mph or 150 km/h (“P”) to 186 mph or (300 km/h)
“Y”.
The speed rating letter code, where applicable, is molded on the tire sidewall. You may not find this
information on all tires because it is not required by law.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
A system that detects when at least one of a vehicle's tires is underinflated and illuminates a low tire-
pressure warning light.
Tread
The portion of a tire that normally touches the road.
Tread rib
A tread section running circumferentially around a tire.
Tread separation
Tire failure caused by the tread pulling away from the tire carcass.
Tread wear indicators (TWI)
Raised areas within the main tread grooves that show, visually, when tires are worn and near the end
of their useful life .261, Tread depth and tread wear indicators.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
A tire information system developed by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) that is designed to help buyers compare tires. UTQG is not a safety rating, nor is it a
guarantee that a tire will last for a certain number of miles or perform a certain way. It gives tire buyers
more information to compare with factors such as price, brand loyalty and dealer recommendations.
Under UTQG, tires are graded by the tire manufacturers in 3 areas: tread wear, traction and
temperature resistance. UTQG information is molded into the tire sidewalls.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
A tire's serial number. It begins with the letters “DOT” (“Department of Transportation”) and indicates
that the tire meets all federal standards. The next 2 numbers or letters indicate the plant where the tire
was manufactured. The last 4 numbers represent the week and year of manufacture.
For example, the numbers 1709 mean that the tire was produced in the 17th week of 2009. Any other
numbers are marketing codes used by the tire manufacturer. This information is used to help identify
affected consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
Vehicle capacity weight
The total rated cargo, luggage and passenger load. Passenger load is 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the
vehicle's total seating capacity (as listed on the label inside the driver door).
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the maximum loaded
vehicle weight (GAWR) and dividing by 2.
Vehicle normal load on the tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the curb weight,
accessory weight, and normal occupant weight (distributed according to the table below) and dividing
by 2.

Engine control and emission control system
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Indicator lights
Catalytic converte
More information:
x Shifting gears
x Refueling
x Fuel
x Engine oil
x Vehicle battery
x Notice about data recorded by vehicle control modules
x Towing
WARNING
The vehicle exhaust system and the catalytic converter get very hot. This can cause a fire and
serious personal injury.
x Never park where parts of the hot exhaust system and catalytic converter could ignite
flammable materials, such as brush, leaves, dry grass, spilled fuel, etc.
x Never apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converter, or heat shields.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning
x Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects and reproductive harm.
Indicator lights

Lights
up Possible cause Proper response
D
Engine control/monitoring system
malfunction (engine Malfunction Indicator
Light - MIL)
Ease off the accelerator. Carefully drive to the
nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have
engine checked.


Flashes Possible cause Proper response
B Misfire, which can damage the catalytic
converter.
Ease off the accelerator. Carefully drive to the
nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Have
engine checked.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.
NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
As long as the indicator lights x or EPC are on, expect engine malfunctions, increased fuel
consumption, and loss of engine efficiency.
Catalytic converter

Frequently asked questions
If you suspect a malfunction or vehicle damage, read and follow the following advice before contacting
an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. You may also find
helpful information under “Special considerations” or “Checklist” in the index.

Description Possible causes, among
others Possible remedy
Engine does not start. Vehicle battery dead. – Perform jump-start
– Charge vehicle battery
The wrong vehicle key is used. Use a valid vehicle key
Fuel level too low. Refuel
Vehicle cannot be locked
or unlocked using vehicle
key.
– Battery in the remote control
vehicle key is dead.
– Too far away from the
vehicle (out of range).
– Buttons have been pressed
too many times.
– Replace the battery in the remote
control vehicle key
– Move closer to vehicle.
– Synchronize vehicle key
– Lock or unlock vehicle manually
Unusual noises. Cold engine, braking assist
systems, electronic steering
column lock.
Check the “Noises” entry in the index.
Odd driving behavior. Assistance systems activated. Check the “Assistance systems” entry
in the index.
DSG® Direct Shift Gearbox too
hot.
Stop vehicle as soon as you can safely
do so.
Outside mirrors move
when the vehicle is
unlocked.
Convenience settings are
stored.
Correct convenience settings .
Front seats cannot be
adjusted with power
controls.
Vehicle battery dead. Charge vehicle battery
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary
Features do not work as
described in this manual.
Settings were adjusted in the
Volkswagen Information
System.
Check and reset to factory settings if
necessary
Headlights do not light up
the road as they should.
– Headlights incorrectly
adjusted.
– Light bulbs burned out.
– Low beams not switched on.
– Have the headlight range adjusted by
an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.
– Change light bulbs
– Switch on low beams
Electrical consumers do
not work.
Vehicle battery charge too low. Charge vehicle battery
Remaining fuel level too low. Refuel
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if necessary
Fuel consumption higher
than indicated.
– Short hauls.
– “Jumpy” accelerator pedal.
– Avoid short distance driving.
– Drive defensively.
– Accelerate smoothly.
Electrical loads switched on. Switch off unnecessary loads.

Fuses
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Fuses in the vehicle
Replacing blown fuses
Due to ongoing development of the vehicle, configuration-dependent allocation of fuses and the
combined fuse protection of multiple loads with one fuse, an up-to-date overview of the fuse location
per load is not possible at the time of printing. Detailed information regarding fuse box layout is
available from authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.
In general, one fuse can protect several loads. One load can also be protected by several fuses.
Find out why the fuse blew and correct the problem before replacing a blown fuse. If a newly replaced
fuse blows again after a short time, the electrical system should be checked by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
More information:
x Preparations for working in the engine compartment
WARNING
High voltage systems in the engine compartment can cause electrical shocks, severe burns,
and even death!
x Never touch ignition cables. Never touch other components of the high voltage electronic
ignition system.
x Avoid short circuits in the electrical system.
WARNING
Using the wrong fuse, using a blown fuse that has been repaired, and using metal objects in
place of fuses to complete the electrical connection in the circuit can cause fires and serious
personal injury.
x Never replace a fuse with one that has a higher amp rating. Replace a blown fuse only with
a fuse of the same amperage (same color and same imprint) and same overall size.
x Never repair fuses.
x Never replace fuses with a metal strip, a paper clip, or a similar object.
NOTICE
x To help prevent damage to the electrical system, switch off all lights and accessories,
switch off the ignition, and remove the key from the ignition switch before replacing a fuse.
x If a fuse is replaced with a fuse with higher amperage, this can also cause damage at
different locations in the electrical system.
x Open fuse boxes must be protected from dirt and moisture. Dirt and moisture in fuse boxes
can cause damage to the electrical system.